Jim Woolsey says more troops and more resources are needed in Iraq.
Question: If you were advising the President on Iraq, what would you counsel?
Jim Woolsey: I'd add even more troops if he can, and give and give Petraeus everything he needs, and do our best to show by success that these tribesman should continue to come over with us. We've put I think probably too much effort on getting the overall Iraqi government right as distinct from defeating Al Qaeda and Iraq, and the remaining ... on the ground. Petraeus may have the troops he needs now to do it. I'm just not sure. It's a very difficult situation, because I think if we leave without the situation being stable, even if contentious between Shiite and Sunni ... If we leave without having effectively defeated the Al Qaeda in Iraq ... And now we learn ... I think it's been obvious for some time, but the press is starting to pick up that Hezbollah, another Iranian proxy besides ... is in Iraq. So we're really at war indirectly with Iran who is with their improvised, explosive devices and the rest, doing everything they can to kill Americans in Iraq and keep the situation in turmoil.
Recorded on: 7/6/07
Question: If you were advising the President on Iraq, what would you counsel?
Jim Woolsey: I'd add even more troops if he can, and give and give Petraeus everything he needs, and do our best to show by success that these tribesman should continue to come over with us. We've put I think probably too much effort on getting the overall Iraqi government right as distinct from defeating Al Qaeda and Iraq, and the remaining ... on the ground. Petraeus may have the troops he needs now to do it. I'm just not sure. It's a very difficult situation, because I think if we leave without the situation being stable, even if contentious between Shiite and Sunni ... If we leave without having effectively defeated the Al Qaeda in Iraq ... And now we learn ... I think it's been obvious for some time, but the press is starting to pick up that Hezbollah, another Iranian proxy besides ... is in Iraq. So we're really at war indirectly with Iran who is with their improvised, explosive devices and the rest, doing everything they can to kill Americans in Iraq and keep the situation in turmoil.
Recorded on: 7/6/07
